During our launch party we had the honor to meet our Online Contest winner Ruddy Mejia. He participated via Instagram and shared almost all of the pictures with the correct name of location and with hash tag #bxartsfactory. We presented the winner with an original painting by artist and co-founder of BxArts Factory, Alexis Mendoza. He also received an exclusive BxArts Factory T-shirt! The t-shirt was printed live during the event by artists Alex Guerrero! It was indeed a magical night and we were able to reveal the names of all the locations around the Bronx, used for the contest! All the locations can be seen in the photos below. The painting titled Oshun (1 (18), 2014, mixed media on canvas, 22"X20") is one in the series of paintings "Organic Consequence", orientation, directions are all placed in abeyance, but not so we can ogle paint drippings, color fields, or textual screams. Placing the basic, familiar attributes of things to one side, Mendoza discovers the essence of color presence. However, what defines presence is no longer explainable. He let color, hard dark lines, distance, desire the locus of the image and volume do the explanation, all these characteristics come together simultaneously, equally, and in terms of each other. The color, as it turned out, is the matrix of memory, and within it, the images surface, utopias and its denials.

Hello supporters,BxArts Factory would like to thank everyone who attended our official Launch Party! We appreciate your presence at our even despite being one of the coldest nights so far this winter. The smiles, hugs, handshakes, and over all feel of community were the highlights of the night and you all were active participants in creating this great atmosphere. Your kind words of support and your encouragement are priceless memories that we will keep for years to come.Laura, Twahira, Alex, Latanya, Michael and I would like to express our gratitude to all the amazing people that helped make this a special night! Thank you to all the volunteers: Natalie Caro, Sharon Lee de la Cruz, Manny Figueroa, Ijeoma D. Iheanacho, Valarie Irizarry, Emely Martinez, Elizabeth Ortiz, Andres Perez Correa, Daniel Rodriguez and Cinnamon Willis. It is important to also recognize those who offered a lending hand full heartedly and generously through the night! Your support and commitment was extraordinary! As you know the attendees were able to enjoy of some amazing and delicious treats! We extend our appreciation to this amazing local Bronx businesses and community members that helped us so gracefully: Bronx Beer Hall, Flaco Coquito, Don Reyes & Luscious Wines, Hungry Bird Restaurant, Morris Perk, Deborah Delgado and Family and The Bronx Museum of the Arts. Additionally we would like to thank the following individual supporters for their contributions: Ed García Conde, Lilian Bello, Lauren Click, Walter Puryer, Valarie Irrizary, Josue Guarionex, Pepe Coronado, Ken Hettinger, William Acevedo and the amazing DJ Ignacio Soltero (Deejaysoul) Special thanks to Monica Ibacache, Co-founder of Beyond Organic Design and Phillip Morrow, President of SoBro for their kind words of encouragement. Lastly we would like to thank the amazing artists that donated their time to enchant the audience with creativity and passion for the arts: Melanie Gonzalez (Photographer), Trevon Blondet (Photographer), Yarisa Colon (Handmade Books and Collages), Alex Guerrero (Screen Printing), Lucrecia Novoa (Masks Artist and Performance), Ismael Checo (Painting), Manuela Viera-Gallo (Performance). We look forward to seeing you at the Factory and in many other Bronx events! Thanks, Yolanda L. RodriguezPresident/CEOBxArts Factory

After 12 days of contest, we finally have a winner, Our Instagram follower @see_obscure was the lucky one! Congratulations Ruddy Mejia, We will see you tonight at the Launch Party to give you the prize.Thanks a million to all that participated!

Volunteering Opportunities for our Launch PartyBxArts Factory needs your help. We are looking for 10 volunteers to assist during or Launch Party on February 12th from 6 to 8 pm at the Bronx Museum of the Arts. Volunteers must be 21 years old or older, and able to be at the venue starting at 5:30 pm. Also volunteers must commit to help for the entirety of the event.If you are interested please contact us at info@bxartsfactory.org

BxArts Factory, a newly created non-profit focused on promoting artists and the Arts in the Bronx, will be hosting BxArts Factory: Launch Party on Thursday, February 12th from 6 to 8 pm at the Bronx Museum of the Arts at 1040 Grand Concourse.“This free event will be filled with artists performing and creating art live for theaudience to enjoy their craft,” said Yolanda Rodriguez, Co-Founder of BxArts Factory.“We will also feature our introductory video, among other surprises, and offerrefreshments. Come celebrate with us as we launch this amazing organization!”RSVP Here